Life and career of Hector 'Macho' Camacho

Hector “Macho” Camacho, the flamboyant boxer as brash and polarizing outside the ring as he was talented inside it, was clinging to life after being shot in the face while sitting in a car in Puerto Rico.

By Chron.com staff

on November 21, 2012 6:09 PM

Photo: Luis M. Alvarez, Associated Press

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Hector "Macho" Camacho arrives for an event in Miami Beach, Fla. in 2006. The former boxing champion was shot in the face while in a car outside a bar in his hometown of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, one of the cities that make up the San Juan metropolitan area. less

Hector "Macho" Camacho arrives for an event in Miami Beach, Fla. in 2006. The former boxing champion was shot in the face while in a car outside a bar in his hometown of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, one of the cities ... more

Hector "Macho" Camacho, front center, poses for photographers Feb. 16, 2012, at his arrival to the Premio Lo Nuestro Music Awards in Miami. Camacho's larger-than-life personality and brushes with the law attracted many fans and an equal number of critics throughout his career. less

Hector "Macho" Camacho, front center, poses for photographers Feb. 16, 2012, at his arrival to the Premio Lo Nuestro Music Awards in Miami. Camacho's larger-than-life personality and brushes with the law ... more

Hector Camacho, right, jumps out of the way of a punch thrown by Ray Mancini during the third round of their WBO Junior Welterweight Title fight in Reno, Nev., March 7, 1989. Camacho won on a split decision.

Hector Camacho, right, jumps out of the way of a punch thrown by Ray Mancini during the third round of their WBO Junior Welterweight Title fight in Reno, Nev., March 7, 1989. Camacho won on a split decision.

Photo: AP

Hector Camacho, right, jumps out of the way of a punch thrown by... Photo-3773028.52764 - Houston Chronicle

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Hector Camacho waves to the crowd, after winning the NBA super middleweight belt over Roberto Duran on July 14, 2001, at the Pepsi Center in Denver. It was Camacho's second victory against the Panamanian legend. less

Hector Camacho waves to the crowd, after winning the NBA super middleweight belt over Roberto Duran on July 14, 2001, at the Pepsi Center in Denver. It was Camacho's second victory against the Panamanian ... more

Hector Camacho Sr., left, poses with his son Hector Camacho Jr., as they celebrate after Camacho Jr. won his 12-round fight against Rocky Martinez at a nightclub in Miami Beach, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 3, 2001. The elder Camacho won his fight, too, a unanimous decision over Troy Lowry. less

Hector Camacho Sr., left, poses with his son Hector Camacho Jr., as they celebrate after Camacho Jr. won his 12-round fight against Rocky Martinez at a nightclub in Miami Beach, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 3, 2001. ... more

Hector Camacho, left, always dressed to be noticed. Here, promoter Don King, holds up the fists of Camacho and Roque Montoya, the Mexican lightweight champ on March 7, 1985. They would fight on April 29 of that year, with Camacho winning a 12-round unanimous decision. less

Hector Camacho, left, always dressed to be noticed. Here, promoter Don King, holds up the fists of Camacho and Roque Montoya, the Mexican lightweight champ on March 7, 1985. They would fight on April 29 of that ... more

Hector Camacho, left, and late boxing legend Alexis Arguello, center congratulate boxing executive Jose Sulaiman, right, of Mexico, for his Outstanding Career award at the Premios Fox Sports Awards at the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach, Fla., on Dec. 14, 2006. less

Hector Camacho, left, and late boxing legend Alexis Arguello, center congratulate boxing executive Jose Sulaiman, right, of Mexico, for his Outstanding Career award at the Premios Fox Sports Awards at the ... more

Hector "Macho" Camacho, center, and Vinny Pazienza, right, pose amid their news conference entourages in New York on Oct. 10, 1989 as they promote their WBA Junior Welterweight title fight. Camacho won a 12-round unanimous decision against Pazienza on Feb. 3. less

Hector "Macho" Camacho, center, and Vinny Pazienza, right, pose amid their news conference entourages in New York on Oct. 10, 1989 as they promote their WBA Junior Welterweight title fight. Camacho won a ... more

Hector "Macho" Camacho, left, strikes a blow to the head of opponent Cornelius Boza Edwards during the World Boxing Council Lightweight title fight in Miami Beach, Fla., Sept. 27, 1986. Camacho retained his title in a unanimous decision after twelve rounds. less

Hector "Macho" Camacho, left, strikes a blow to the head of opponent Cornelius Boza Edwards during the World Boxing Council Lightweight title fight in Miami Beach, Fla., Sept. 27, 1986. Camacho retained his ... more

Challenger Hector Camacho gets down low in the corner while trying to avoid the relentless charge of champion and Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez during the third round of their WBC super lightweight title fight in Las Vegas, Nev., Sept 12, 1992. Chavez won a unanimous 12-round decision. less

Challenger Hector Camacho gets down low in the corner while trying to avoid the relentless charge of champion and Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez during the third round of their WBC super lightweight title ... more

The never-shy Hector Camacho flexes for the crowd prior to weighing in Sept. 12, 1997, in Las Vegas, prior to his fight against Oscar De La Hoya. Camacho, who last fought in 2010, finished with a career record of 79-6-3 (38 KOs). He ducked no fighter and was never knocked out in the ring. less

The never-shy Hector Camacho flexes for the crowd prior to weighing in Sept. 12, 1997, in Las Vegas, prior to his fight against Oscar De La Hoya. Camacho, who last fought in 2010, finished with a career record ... more